Braves lose more ground to Phillies in N.L. East

The Braves lost another one to the Phillies Tuesday night and now you can all but hand the N.L. East division title to Philly. Atlanta is five games back with just ten to play. It is hard to fathom the Braves making up that kind of ground before the end of the season. Especially with the way they are playing of late.

Atlanta has only one five of its last ten games and lately the team hasn’t looked much like the one that led the division for most of the season. Chipper Jones season ending knee injury, an anemic offense and a suddenly shaky pitching staff are the main culprits in the team’s freefall.

With the division race all but over, the Braves will have to rely on the Wild Card as their ticket to the postseason. Atlanta has a one game lead over San Diego for the final postseason spot. Like the Braves, the Padres too have struggled over the past month or so. They too have only won five of their last ten games.

The Braves will close out their series in Philadelphia tonight. It goes without saying that it is crucial they get out of town with a win. That would give the team some momentum into a winnable road series at Washington this weekend. Then again, the Nat’s took two of three from the Braves at Turner Field last week.

After Florida the Braves return home to close the season with series’ against the Marlins and Phillies. With ten games to play, the Braves better win at least six if they want any chance of making the post season.